Perceptions and Attitudes towards Medical Research in the United Arab Emirates: Results from the Abu Dhabi Cohort Study (ADCS) Focus Group Discussions

Obaid, Yusra El; Hamiz, Aisha Al; Abdulle, Abdishakur; Hayes, Richard B.; Sherman, Scott E.; Ali, Raghib

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0149609

Cited by 13 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…This decrease coincided with the reform of its residency training program, leading to the researcher’s conclusion that “it is quite likely that our residents are providing better patient care”. In Abu Dhabi, a study into perceptions and attitudes towards medical research amongst focus group participants noted that the UAE has one of the best healthcare systems in the region [ 47 ]. The UAE has also witnessed a significant growth in Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation [ 48 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the United Arab Emirates: a systematic review

Koornneef

Robben

Blair

2017

BMC Health Serv Res

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BackgroundThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) government aspires to build a world class health system to improve the quality of healthcare and the health outcomes for its population. To achieve this it has implemented extensive health system reforms in the past 10 years. The nature, extent and success of these reforms has not recently been comprehensively reviewed. In this paper we review the progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the UAE.MethodsWe searched relevant databases and other sources to identify published and unpublished studies and other data available between 01 January 2002 and 31 March 2016. Eligible studies were appraised and data were descriptively and narratively synthesized.ResultsSeventeen studies were included covering the following themes: the UAE health system, population health, the burden of disease, healthcare financing, healthcare workforce and the impact of reforms. Few, if any, studies prospectively set out to define and measure outcomes. A central part of the reforms has been the introduction of mandatory private health insurance, the development of the private sector and the separation of planning and regulatory responsibilities from provider functions. The review confirmed the commitment of the UAE to build a world class health system but amongst researchers and commentators opinion is divided on whether the reforms have been successful although patient satisfaction with services appears high and there are some positive indications including increasing coverage of hospital accreditation. The UAE has a rapidly growing population with a unique age and sex distribution, there have been notable successes in improving child and maternal mortality and extending life expectancy but there are high levels of chronic diseases. The relevance of the reforms for public health and their impact on the determinants of chronic diseases have been questioned.ConclusionsFrom the existing research literature it is not possible to conclude whether UAE health system reforms are working. We recommend that research should continue in this area but that research questions should be more clearly defined, focusing whenever possible on outcomes rather than processes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-017-2597-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the United Arab Emirates: a systematic review

Koornneef

Robben

Blair

2017

BMC Health Serv Res

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“…The first stage of the pilot study (September to December 2014) was a series of focus group discussions with potential participants to develop and optimize the participants’ information material and study protocols, the results of which has been published elsewhere [ 16 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The UAE healthy future study: a pilot for a prospective cohort study of 20,000 United Arab Emirates nationals

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) is faced with a rapidly increasing burden of non-communicable diseases including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The UAE Healthy Future study is a prospective cohort designed to identify associations between risk factors and these diseases amongst Emiratis. The study will enroll 20,000 UAE nationals aged ≥18 years. Environmental and genetic risk factors will be characterized and participants will be followed for future disease events. As this was the first time a prospective cohort study was being planned in the UAE, a pilot study was conducted in 2015 with the primary aim of establishing the feasibility of conducting the study. Other objectives were to evaluate the implementation of the main study protocols, and to build adequate capacity to conduct advanced clinical laboratory analyses.MethodsSeven hundred sixty nine UAE nationals aged ≥18 years were invited to participate voluntarily in the pilot study. Participants signed an informed consent, completed a detailed questionnaire, provided random blood, urine, and mouthwash samples and were assessed for a series of clinical measures. All specimens were transported to the New York University Abu Dhabi laboratories where samples were processed and analyzed for routine chemistry and hematology. Plasma, serum, and a small whole blood sample for DNA extraction were aliquoted and stored at −80 °C for future analyses.ResultsOverall, 517 Emirati men and women agreed to participate (68% response rate). Of the total participants, 495 (95.0%), 430 (82.2%), and 492 (94.4%), completed the questionnaire, physical measurements, and provided biological samples, respectively.ConclusionsThe pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of recruitment and completion of the study protocols for the first large-scale cohort study designed to identify emerging risk factors for the major non-communicable diseases in the region.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-017-5012-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Another very important barrier in research activities is the approval by the institutional ethical committee. Most of the time ethical committee documentation is very exhaustive, and a lot of objections distract the young researchers [ 29 ]. But our survey revealed that with the advance in seniority of the students, when the young researchers get to understand the procedure better, this barrier occurs less, i.e.…”

Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

Undergraduate medical research in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a descriptive study of the students’ perspective

et al. 2018

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ObjectiveThere is a lack of research-oriented physicians in several Arab countries and especially in Gulf region countries. In this context, it is important to explore medical students’ perceptions and motivations towards research. The aim of the present study was to investigate research attitude, practices, and motivations among medical students from GCC countries.ResultsThere were 228 students who participated in this study (male 88, females 140). Thirty-eight percent of the students were participating from Saudi Arabia, 20.6% from the UAE, 17.1% from Oman, 12.7% from Kuwait and 11.4% from Bahrain. Among participants, 43.0% had experience of funded research, and 53.1% had a contribution to research. The confidence of participants in their ability to interpret and to write a research paper was quite high (70.2%). The majority of the students (87.3%) believed that undergraduate students could conduct research and can present at conferences. Improving research skills, attaining research publication, and improvement in patient care were claimed as the top three motives for conducting research. The majority (75.0%) were compelled to research to facilitate their acceptance to a residency program and 63.6% due to compulsion for a research methodology course.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3381-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Perceptions and Attitudes towards Medical Research in the United Arab Emirates: Results from the Abu Dhabi Cohort Study (ADCS) Focus Group Discussions

Cited by 13 publications

References 12 publications

Progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the United Arab Emirates: a systematic review

Progress and outcomes of health systems reform in the United Arab Emirates: a systematic review

The UAE healthy future study: a pilot for a prospective cohort study of 20,000 United Arab Emirates nationals

Undergraduate medical research in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a descriptive study of the students’ perspective

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